171 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Dispersed camping near Pownal, Vermont includes primitive sites and established campgrounds through the southern Green Mountains and northern Berkshires. Pine Hollow Campground, offering tent and RV sites with full hookups, anchors the area's camping options while George D. Aiken Wilderness and NFR 273 provide free dispersed camping opportunities. Woodford State Park Campground, located a short drive from Pownal, features tent sites, RV spaces, and cabin accommodations around a scenic pond, open seasonally from Memorial Day to Columbus Day weekend.
Camping seasons vary considerably in this mountainous region, with most developed campgrounds operating from May through mid-October. The Berkshire and Green Mountain terrain creates multiple elevation zones with variable temperatures and precipitation patterns. Primitive campsites typically allow longer stays but may lack drinking water sources, especially at higher elevations in wilderness areas. Many sites are accessible with standard vehicles, though some forest roads require higher clearance. "Great little campground close to Albany. We needed a place to stop for the night but could have stayed all weekend. There is a small pond that is fun to fish and swim in," noted one visitor about Pine Hollow Campground.
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings throughout the region. Clarksburg State Park Campground offers sites with pond access and clean facilities, though visitors note the proximity between sites limits privacy. Pine Hollow Campground features a central pond with fishing and swimming opportunities that multiple reviews highlight as family-friendly. Several visitors mentioned the helpful campground owners and overall cleanliness of facilities at Pine Hollow. More remote dispersed camping options in the George D. Aiken Wilderness provide solitude but require self-sufficiency as these areas lack amenities. Campers value the region for its proximity to recreational activities in the Berkshires, with many noting the convenient access to hiking trails and attractions like Mass MOCA while enjoying mountain views and forest settings.
"Great access to Mt Greylock and LOTS of hiking close by. Staff was so accommodating-always willing to spend time giving recommendations."
"Great family atmosphere w very positive neighbors and owners... Fantastic. 5 stars"
from $40 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Woodford State Park is situated between Wilmington and Bennington VT in the southern part of the Green Mountain National Forest."
"The views on some of the sites to the lake are beautiful. the grounds and facilities are well kept. and you are close to both Bennington and Wilmington. a great spot to camp at in Southern Vermont!"
"We arrived at the shelter and there were some campers we greeted and then we pitched a tent nearby (vincinity camping allowed)."
"The site was clean, dry, and a nice walk off the main trail. The staff was friendly as well. We hikes around during the days and saw some spectacular views."
from $8 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Nestled in the Berkshires and basically walking distance to Vermont, Clarksburg State Park provides a comfortable and semi-private tent site."
"Our site was right next to another with little in between and our neighbors had a big rig and ran the generator long chunks of the day."
from $17 - $55 / night
Check Availability"Great little campground close to Albany. We needed a place to stop for the night but could have stayed all weekend. There is a small pond that is fun to fish and swim in."
"It is a really cute little campground with a pond and surrounded by small mountains/hills covered in trees. We had a full hookup site and everything worked well."
from $41 - $57 / night
Check Availability"A LOT of bugs due to dense wooded surroundings. The bugs seems to be unbothered by the bug spray as well."
"I got in around the afternoon and there were already a few camp sites taken. Which is to be expected on the fourth."
"We stopped on our way through to Stowe Vermont."
"The camp spots were all pretty spread out from each other and the road was easy to drive on. There were only about 10 spots along the access road."
"The bathrooms are clean, the campground has a cool lake front, and you’re about a five minute drive to mass moca or a 20-30 minute walk. Looking forward to fresh grass 2021."
"Camping here gives you a small lake and plenty of woodland surrounding you and since of peace. Bathrooms are clean but definitely a moisture issue. Staff is very helpful, Friendly but overworked."
"This state forest campground offers large sites, some of them on a grassy open area or tucked into the woods."
"We camp with a pop up and reserved site 11, the orientation of the site did not work and we switched to site 10. 10 & 11 are connected by a path, good for people traveling in a group."
from $17 - $60 / night
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ScoutStayed at lot #71, loop B! It’s across from the bathrooms, behind there’s a trail that takes you to the lake (about a 5 min walk). No electric, water, or dump station. Firewood is near the entrance, they give you a burlap sack to fill up with!
LegendWe stayed at the park in our truck camper for two nights. It was very clean and quiet. We stayed in site five which was very secluded, large site that was level and perfect for a small camper or van. There are two trails right from the park that lead up to the Mount Olga fire tower, and a trail continues over that which ends at a local distillery, with a general store and a brewery with awesome pizza across the street as well. (~ 1.5 miles one way to the distillery). The views from the tower and the distillery/brewery/store are gorgeous. The bathrooms and showers were extremely clean, and it was only $.50 for five minutes of hot water. They also had firewood for sale. nearby Wilmington is very close and a cute town, and it is not far to Brattleboro and Bennington as well. We came up for some cycling training and there are multiple options for gorgeous gravel riding routes. The only slight downside was that Route 9 is a little busy and there was some occasional road noise, but it wasn’t too bad and not really noticeable at night at all. There were several really nice lean-tos, the loop with sites 2 through 12 are much nicer and more secluded and wooded, the loop with sites one through 23 are more open and in a field with less shade and privacy. Would not hesitate to stay again!
GuideWe love camping in VT State parks and this is another humdinger of a park. Lots of room between sites, well-cared for, walkable to lovely lake… excellent camping experience.
ScoutOnly about 7-8 spots to camp but super spread out down a gravel road. I pulled in at 8 ish and grabbed the last or one of the last spots. Super quiet and out of the way
LegendPros- easy on off of the interstate. Very nice people! Nicely kept grounds. Cool camp store. Nice playground and green space. Scenic small river runs along the back of the property. Beautiful surrounding area!
Cons- swimming isn't allowed in the river! It's crystal clear and deep in spots right next to camp sites. Crushing blow that we couldn't play in it. Sites pretty tight. Moderate highway noise. Only full hookup sites are up by the highway without any nature to speak of.
If you are like us and want to play in the creek, drive or walk a half a mile up the road and take a little path right before the low bridge. Great swimming hole in some of the clearest water I have ever seen.
ScoutI originally was scheduled to be working the whole weekend but ended up getting the time off and rushed to somewhere I could camp on the fourth. I got in around the afternoon and there were already a few camp sites taken. Which is to be expected on the fourth. I left on the 6th and it does seem that there’s a continuous flow of people in and out of the sites but for the most part it’s quiet and you can’t hear your neighbors. Law enforcement does drive by about once or twice a day which is nice. There is probably 4-5 usable sites. There are a few spots that someone could back a trailer into but I drive a hatchback so take that information as you will. It also looks to be that there are at least 2-3 sites that have become overgrown unclear if they are official sites or just large pull offs. Be wary in a small car that many of the entrances to the sites are either muddy and deeply rutted or a combination of steep and rutted out. Great place would definitely come back in the fall
TravelerOverall, it was fairly quiet, considering it was the Fourth of July there were somebody in the parking lot set off a couple of small fireworks, but it was a quick woo hoo. There are some run down trailers and some trash sadly. :( please pack it in pack it out! And Patronage to the distillery who provides this free parking. Lots of vehicles in/ out during the day. Great hike to fire tower. Lots of bugs (horseflies, knots and mosquitoes) no shade so be prepared if it’s hot. Hogback Mt gift shop and museum across street must stop. Trailhead for fire tower next to distillery.
GuideAdjacent to Green Mtn National Forest, situated in a beautiful meadow with dozens of apple trees, visited by wild animals of every kind, wild berries, giant fire pit & walking distance to swimming hole in river, beer shop, pizza shop, coffee shop, restaurant, cannabis dispensary, bike shop, kayak/paddle board shop, ski and snowboard shop, general store, fuel stop… but in sight of none of it! Beautiful sunsets and sunrises with wide open southern sky, stretching to both the east and west!
TravelerPeople are super friendly and helpful. Campground is well maintained and very secure. RV site was very large and mostly level. Good location. Close to Hudson River and Albany.
Dispersed camping near Pownal, Vermont attracts visitors seeking both primitive and established camping options in terrain ranging from 800 to 3,600 feet elevation. The region sits at the junction of the Green Mountains and northern Berkshires, with camping accessibility varying significantly by season. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during day and 55-65°F at night, while spring and fall camping often brings temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night.
Paddle the reservoir: Woodford State Park Campground features a mountain reservoir popular for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding with gear available for rent on-site. "We drove down to the second loop and parked on the side of the campground road and carried our kayaks down to the camper's beach. Our dog loved getting a little swim! The reservoir is beautiful- plenty of space to spread out for paddling and swimming," notes one camper at Woodford State Park Campground.
Visit Mass MOCA: Historic Valley Campground provides convenient access to museums and cultural attractions. "The campground has a cool lake front, and you're about a five minute drive to mass moca or a 20-30 minute walk," reports a camper who has attended multiple festivals while staying at Historic Valley Campground.
Hike Mount Greylock: The highest peak in Massachusetts offers multiple trail options ranging from moderate day hikes to challenging backpacking routes. "The visitors center were very informative and were able to point us in the right direction for overnight parking and somewhat shorter hikes to shelters. The views along the drive and the hikes were amazing," shares a hiker who visited Sperry Road Campground.
Solitude in wilderness areas: George D Aiken Wilderness provides free dispersed camping with more isolation than established campgrounds. "Large, well organized camping spots along the road. The spot I chose had a beautifully built fire pit," notes a visitor to George D Aiken Wilderness, where many sites are set back from access roads for added privacy.
Well-maintained facilities: Despite being a state park, Woodford State Park receives consistent praise for its clean bathrooms. "The bathrooms were the cleanest campground bathrooms I've ever seen! The campsites are pretty big and somewhat private which is nice. They also have cabins you can rent," reports a visitor.
Small pond fishing: Pine Hollow Campground centers around a fishing pond accessible to all campers. "Great stop! New owners have created an awesome family friendly park with swimming/fishing pond, clean restrooms and beautiful grounds," writes one visitor to Pine Hollow Campground, while another adds "There is a small pond that is fun to fish and swim in. The sites are all set up around the pond."
Limited cell service: Most campgrounds in the region have spotty or non-existent connectivity. A camper at Savoy Mountain State Forest reports, "Not even a cell signal can get there, if you're looking to unplug this is a great spot!" Similar connectivity challenges exist at most primitive sites.
Weather variability: The mountainous terrain creates microclimates that can drastically change weather conditions. "It had rained a lot prior to our arrival, and several sites were damp," notes one visitor to George D Aiken Wilderness, highlighting the importance of proper rain gear and tarp setups.
Bear activity: Black bears inhabit the region, and proper food storage is essential. "Bear boxes are provided, but I question how serious they are about the bear problem because the dumpster was not at all secure," mentions a visitor at Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground, emphasizing the need for vigilance despite provided bear boxes.
Bike-friendly options: Find campgrounds with safe riding areas for children. "The campground has a nice loop for the kids to bike," notes a family that camped at Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground, though they caution that some campgrounds with steep terrain are less suitable.
Kid-friendly activities: Woodford State Park offers programming specifically designed for younger campers. "Rangers provided programming for kids and families on the weekends," shares a family who appreciated the structured activities available during summer weekends.
Swimming access considerations: Water features vary significantly between sites. "The pond and the hiking trail around it are beautiful," comments a camper at Clarksburg State Park, while another notes "The day use area is very nice with grass, shade and beach and swim area though it is a bit too far to walk especially with littles so be ready to drive over there."
Site selection challenges: Mt Greylock Campsite Park requires careful consideration when selecting sites. "Some of the sites are up hills and might be difficult for some to park their trailers. We watched a fifth wheel try to back up a hill and then turn into a site and couldn't get a grip because of the incline and the loose gravel," warns a visitor to Mt Greylock Campsite Park.
Hookup placement: Check the configuration of utilities before setting up. "Sites are nice and most have electric, water and some with sewer hookups. One issue is the hookups are spread out on your sites. So you may need extra hose or longer cord to complete your hookups," advises an RVer who stayed at Historic Valley Campground.
Navigational hazards: Some campgrounds have problematic access roads. "They tell you clearly to avoid the GPS directions, but I can't help but think the giant hill they wanted us to avoid would've been better than the dead end and destroyed awning as a result of theirs," cautions an RVer about navigation challenges at Historic Valley Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Pownal, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Pownal, VT offers a wide range of camping options, with 171 campgrounds and RV parks near Pownal, VT and 20 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Pownal, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Pownal, VT is Mt. Greylock Campsite Park with a 4.6-star rating from 30 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Pownal, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 free dispersed camping spots near Pownal, VT.
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